Criterion Newsletter (Part 2)

[Derek Estes]

I demand a Devo performance of "Jocko Homo" as a special feature.

I second this demand, fellow spud.

[FilmFanSea]

I'll guess Emir Kusturica's 1998 Black Cat, White Cat, unreleased in Region 1.

[HistoryProf]

incidentally, the original 1942 Cat People is on TCM tonight at 8pm EST. There always seems to be a bit of a correlation with new announcements appearing on TCM, so perhaps this is a vote for it over Island of Lost Souls?

[justeleblanc]

I can't tell if people are being sarcastic or not, but the clue in the newsletter is for KURONEKO, which means "Black Cat."

[Jeff]

I can't tell if people are being sarcastic or not, but the clue in the newsletter is for KURONEKO, which means "Black Cat."

Seems unlikely though since they already teased Kuroneko in the New Year's clue with the "ghost cat." As has been pointed out, the file name indicates that this image is of a "wacky panther," not a cat.

Since Island of Lost Souls prominently features The Panther Woman, the image is of a panther wearing a dress, and we've known that Island of Lost Souls has been in production for quite some time, it seems like a foregone conclusion. I suspect we'll see both Kuroneko and Island of Lost Souls released in October.

[ianungstad]

It's not Kuroneko. Kuroneko is a japanese period film, so the women wouldn't be wearing european style dresses. The title of the clue also states that it's a panther, which are not indigneous to Japan.

The clue is for Island of Lost Souls.

[Mr Sausage]

I've wanted to see Island of Lost Souls since I was a kid. I am extremely excited for a grand Criterion release (and happy, in a nerdish way, that Bela Lugosi has found his way into the collection).

[knives]

Karloff still has him doubled though.

[Murdoch]

"Karloff? Fuck you!"

[justeleblanc]

I stand corrected.

[CSM126]

If we're being fair though, I imagine Cat People is/was on Criterion's short list of requested titles when they signed whatever they did with Warner, so it's not like it was a silly thing to guess.

[justeleblanc]

CSM, the story behind Criterion's deal with Warner is very fuzzy. I'm not sure if it is even true, but It involved certain directors (Linklater, Malick, maybe more) negotiating a deal with Warner that allowed them to license their films to Criterion for Blu. All the films that were ethereally mentioned were directed by living filmmakers who had perhaps worked with Criterion in the past. THE FOUNTAIN was mentioned in a different breath than BADLANDS and BEFORE SUNRISE/SUNSET, and I'm not sure if this was wishful thinking on the part of its fans (I being one of them).

The Lewton RKO films were never discussed as possibilities, and I don't see Criterion being able to license any of them.

[MTRodaba2468]

If we're being fair though, I imagine Cat People is/was on Criterion's short list of requested titles when they signed whatever they did with Warner, so it's not like it was a silly thing to guess.

In addition to what justeleblanc posted, even if Warner was willing to further license out their films in general, the Lewton RKO films were all released as a big box set together, making it less likely one would be licensed out...

[swo17]

I suspect we'll see both Kuroneko and Island of Lost Souls released in December.

Fixed.

[Cinephrenic]

Nothing like a spooky Christmas.

[domino harvey]

Jesus is def the original Wacky C

[Jeff]

I suspect we'll see both Kuroneko and Island of Lost Souls released in December.

Fixed.

But of course. I should add that Criterion will probably include The Phantom Carriage in their Haunted Hanukkah lineup as well.

[HerrSchreck]

I've wanted to see Island of Lost Souls since I was a kid. I am extremely excited for a grand Criterion release (and happy, in a nerdish way, that Bela Lugosi has found his way into the collection).

YOU of all people has still never seen this film??? My god man, I almost can't believe it! You're such a big fan of classic horror I can't imagine you haven't sniffed this one out in one form or another, if by no other way then at least the formal release of it from back in the MCA Universal VHS days. i e this one:



Wait til you see it-- it's the most eerie of the bunch. This is a real welcome release, man, I can't wait to toss this old VHS.

[Mr Sausage]

YOU of all people has still never seen this film??? My god man, I almost can't believe it! You're such a big fan of classic horror I can't imagine you haven't sniffed this one out in one form or another, if by no other way then at least the formal release of it from back in the MCA Universal VHS days. i e this one:

I know! For some reason I was just never able to get my hands on the VHS release back when I first started watching these things avidly (I was only a kid; means were limited). I grew older and it kind of passed into the back of my mind until I started buying the Universals as they came out on DVD and figured this one wasn't far behind. Never came. Then they started bringing out the Lugosi and Karloff sets years later and I thought, surely, this one has to be in the pipeline. Nope.

Oh well, I get to experience this for the first time on a deluxe, remastered Criterion DVD. Can't really complain.

[andyli]

pretty obvious.

[matrixschmatrix]

pretty obvious.

Clearly, a hint for Reservoir Dogs.

Seriously, though, I would take this as meaning the Tricolor isn't being announced tomorrow- the newsletter clues are usually a couple of months before the announcements, right?

[Fierias]

Double clue for Headless Woman? [-o<

[jwd5275]

I think this means that it's not coming in tomorrow's announcements....

[Borowczyk76]

I'm pretty sure that's for Kieslovski's Bleu Blanc Rouge.... Criterion showed a screencap from Red the other day on Facebook.

[Tom Hagen]

November's usually the big month. It will probably come out then.